Officer who shot at St. Michael standoff suspect identified
Law enforcement officials are at the scene of a standoff in St. Michael. (KSTP-TV)
Tuesday, the state identified one of the officers who shot at the suspect in last week’s standoff in St. Michael.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says Sgt. Robert Gongol, a 15-year veteran of the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, fired his rifle at 39-year-old Brandon Lee Gardas just before midnight on June 21 after Gardas fired shots at law enforcement.
Gardas wasn’t hit by Gongol returning fire, the BCA says.
Additionally, the BCA says a St. Cloud police officer was the person who fired his rifle and hit Gardas in the chest when officers entered the home to arrest Gardas on June 22. However, the state isn’t identifying the officer, saying that officer works in an undercover capacity and, therefore, will not be identified in accordance with state law.
RELATED: St. Michael standoff suspect charged with attempted murder, assault
Gardas faces 10 criminal charges — including attempted first-degree murder of police officers, first-degree assault against a police officer, second-degree assault, illegal possession of guns and ammunition, threats and drug possession — in connection to the two-day standoff.
Gardas is set to make his initial court appearance on Wednesday.